smile played over his countenance as he beheld me when I was ushered to his private room. The reverend gentleman was not shaved; he had partaken of breakfast. I saw a glass which had once contained brandy on the dirty tray whereon his meal was placed: a greasy novel from a Chancery Lane library lay on the table, but he was at present occupied in writing. One or more of those great long letters, those laborious, ornate, eloquent statements, those documents so

the pluck of those good Ridleys never saying a single word to F. B. about the debt! We are poor, but we have saved some money and can lie out of it. And we think Mr. Honeyman will pay us,' says Mrs. Ridley to me this very evening. And she thrilled my heart-strings, Sir; and I took her in my arms, and kissed the old woman," says Bayham, "and I rather astonished little Miss Cann and young J. J., who came in with a picture under his arm. But she said she had kissed Master Frederick long before J. J. was born-profusely underlined, in which the machinations and so she had, that good and faithful servantand my emotion in embracing her was manly, Sir, manly."

of villains are laid bare with italic fervor; the coldness, to use no harsher phrase, of friends on whom reliance might have been placed; the outrageous conduct of Solomons; the astonish

Here old Betsy came in to say that the supper was a-waitin' for Mr. Bayham, and it was a-get-ing failure of Smith to pay a sum of money ting very late; and we left F. B. to his meal, and bidding adieu to Mrs. Nokes, Clive and I went each to our habitation.

IN WHICH COLONEL NEWCOME'S HORSES ARE SOLD.

Ar an early hour the next morning I was not surprised to see Colonel Newcome at my chambers, to whom Clive had communicated Bayham's important news of the night before. The Colonel's object-as any one who knew him need scarcely be told-was to rescue his brother-inlaw; and being ignorant of lawyers, sheriffs' officers, and their proceedings, he bethought him that he would apply to Lamb Court for information, and in so far showed some prudence; for at least I knew more of the world and its ways than my simple client, and was enabled to make better terms for the unfortunate prisoner, or rather for Colonel Newcome, who was the real sufferer, than Honeyman's creditors might otherwise have been disposed to give.

I thought it would be more prudent that our good Samaritan should not see the victim of rogues whom he was about to succor; and left him to entertain himself with Mr. Warrington in Lamb Court, while I sped to the lock-up-house, where the May Fair pet was confined. A sickly

on which he had counted as on the Bank of England; finally, the infallible certainty of repaying (with what heartfelt thanks need not be said) the loan of so many pounds next Saturday week at furthest. All this, which some readers in the course of their experience have read no doubt in many handwritings, was duly set forth by poor Honeyman. There was a wafer in a wine-glass on the table, and the bearer no doubt below to carry the missive. They always send these letters by a messenger, who is introduced in the postscript: he is always sitting in the hall when you get the letter, and is "a young man waiting for an answer, please."

No one can suppose that Honeyman laid a complete statement of his affairs before the negotiator, who was charged to look into them. No creditor does confess all his debts, but breaks them gradually to his man of business, factor, or benefactor, leading him on from surprise to surprise; and when he is in possession of the tailor's little account, introducing him to the bootmaker. Honeyman's schedule I felt perfectly certain was not correct. The detainers against him were trifling. "Moss of Wardour Street, one hundred and twenty-I believe I have paid him thousands in this very transaction," ejaculates Honeyman. "A heartless West End tradesman hearing of my misfortune-these people are all linked together, my dear Pendennis, and rush like vultures upon their prey! Waddilove, the tailor, has another writ out for ninety-eight pounds-a man whom I have made by my recommendations! Tobbins the boot-maker, his neighbor in Jermyn Street, forty-one pounds more, and that is all-I give you my word, all. In a few months, when my pew-rents will be coming in, I should have settled with those cormorants; otherwise, my total and irretrievable ruin, and the disgrace and humiliation of a prison attends me. I know it; I can bear it; I have been wretchedly weak, Pendennis: I can say, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa, and I can-bear-my -penalty." In his finest moments he was never more pathetic. He turned his head away, and concealed it in a handkerchief not so white as those which vailed his emotions at Lady Whittlesea's.

How by degrees this slippery penitent was induced to make other confessions; how we got

tradesmen, and make some composition with them, as their prices have been no doubt enormously exaggerated, I see no harm. Besides the tradesfolk there is good Mrs. Ridley and Mr. Sherrick-we must see them; and, if we can, set this luckless Charles again on his legs. We have read of other prodigals who were kindly treated; and we may have debts of our own to forgive, boys."

an idea of Mrs. Ridley's account from him, of his dealings with Mr. Sherrick, need not be mentioned here. The conclusion to which Colonel Newcome's embassador came was, that to help such a man would be quite useless; and that the Fleet Frison would be a most wholesome retreat for this most reckless divine. Ere the day was out Messrs. Waddilove and Tobbins had conferred with their neighbor in St. James's, Mr. Brace; and there came a detainer from that haberdasher for gloves, cravats, and pocket handkerchiefs, that might have done credit to the most dandified young Guardsman. Mr. Warrington was on Mr. Pendennis's side, and urged that the law should take its course. "Why help a man," said he, "who will not help himself? Let the what-do-you-call-'em's-that rum fellow Baylaw sponge out the fellow's debts; set him going again with twenty pounds when he quits the prison, and get him a chaplaincy in the Isle of Man."

Into Mr. Sherrick's account we had no need to enter. That gentleman had acted with perfect fairness by Honeyman. He laughingly said to us, "You don't imagine I would lend that chap a shilling without security? I will give him fifty or a hundred. Here's one of his notes, with

ham's-name as drawer. A nice pair, ain't they? Pooh! I shall never touch 'em. I lent some money on the shop overhead," says Sherrick, pointing to the ceiling (we were in his counting

Now

house in the cellar of Lady Whittlesea's chapel), because I thought it was a good speculation. And so it was at first. The people liked Honeyman. All the nobs came to hear him. the speculation ain't so good. He's used up. A chap can't be expected to last forever. When I first engaged Mademoiselle Bravura at my theatre, you couldn't get a place for three weeks together. The next year she didn't draw twenty pounds a week. So it was with Pottle, and the regular drama humbug. At first it was all very well. Good business, good houses, our immortal bard, and that sort of game. They engaged the tigers and the French riding people over the way; and there was Pottle bellowing away in my place to the orchestra and the orders. all a speculation. I've speculated in about pretty much every thing that's going in theatres, in joint-stock jobs, in building ground, in bills, in gas and insurance companies, and in this chapel. Poor old Honeyman! I won't hurt him. About that other chap, I put in to do the first business-that red-haired chap, Rawkins-I think I was wrong. I think he injured the property. But I don't know every thing, you know. I wasn't bred to know about parsons-quite the reverse. I thought, when I heard Rawkins at Hampstead, he was just the thing. I used to go about, sir, just as I did to the provinces, when I had the

It's

I saw by the Colonel's grave kind face that these hard opinions did not suit him. At all events, Sir, promise us, we said, that you will pay nothing yourself-that you won't see Honeyman's creditors, and let people, who know the world better, deal with him. "Know the world, young man!" cries Newcome; "I should think if I don't know the world at my age, I never shall." And if he had lived to be as old as Ja-theatre-Camberwell, Islington, Kennington, haleel a boy could still have cheated him,

"I do not scruple to tell you," he said, after a pause, during which a plenty of smoke was delivered from the council of three, "that I havea fund-which I had set aside for mere purposes of pleasure, I give you my word, and a part of which I shall think it my duty to devote to poor Honeyman's distresses. The fund is not large. The money was intended in fact- however, there it is. If Pendennis will go round to these

Clapton, all about, and hear the young chaps. Have a glass of sherry; and here's better luck to Honeyman. As for that Colonel, he's a trump, sir! I never see such a man. I have to deal with such a precious lot of rogues: in the city and out of it, among the swells and all, you know, that to see such a fellow refreshes me; and I'd do any thing for him. You've made a good thing of that Pall Mall Gazette! I tried papers too; but mine didn't do. I don't know why I

tried a Tory one, moderate Liberal, and out-and-money from my agents in Calcutta. A year out uncompromising Radical. I say, what d'ye sooner or later (unless two of our senior officers think of a religious paper, the Catechism, or some had died, when I should have got my promotion such name? Would Honeyman do as editor? and full colonel's pay with it, and proposed to reI'm afraid it's all up with the poor cove at the main in this country)-a year sooner or later, chapel." And I parted with Mr. Sherrick, not a what does it matter? Clive will go away and little edified by his talk, and greatly relieved as to work at his art, and see the great schools of paintHoneyman's fate. The tradesmen of Honey- ing while I am absent. I thought at one time man's body were appeased; and as for Mr. Moss, how pleasant it would be to accompany him. But when he found that the curate had no effects, and l'homme propose, Pendennis. I fancy now a lad must go before the Insolvent Court, unless Moss is not the better for being always tied to his pachose to take the composition which we were rent's apron-string. You young fellows are too empowered to offer him, he too was brought to clever for me. I haven't learned your ideas or hear reason, and parted with the stamped paper read your books. I feel myself very often an old on which was poor Honeyman's signature. Our damper in your company. I will go back, Sir, negotiation had like to have come to an end by where I have some friends, and where I am someClive's untimely indignation, who offered at one body still. I know an honest face or two, white stage of the proceedings to pitch young Moss out and brown, that will lighten up in the old regiof the window; but nothing came of this most ment when they see Tom Newcome again. God ungentlebadlike beayviour on Noocob's part, fur- bless you, Arthur. You young fellows in this ther than remonstrance and delay in the proceed- country have such cold ways that we old ones ings; and Honeyman preached a lovely sermon hardly know how to like you at first. James at Lady Whittlesea's the very next Sunday. He Binnie and I, when we first came home, used to had made himself much liked in the sponging- talk you over, and think you laughed at us. But house, and Mr. Lazarus said, "If he hadn't a got you didn't, I know. God Almighty bless you, out time enough, I'd a let him out for Sunday, and send you a good wife, and make a good man and sent one of my men with him to show him of you. I have bought a watch, which I would the way ome, you know; for when a gentleman like you to wear in remembrance of me and my behaves as a gentleman to me, I behave as a gen-boy, to whom you were so kind when you were tleman to him."

boys together in the old Gray Friars." I took his hand, and uttered some incoherent words of affection and respect. Did not Thomas Newcome

His resolution being taken, our good Colonel began to make silent but effectual preparations for his coming departure. He was pleased during these last days of his stay to give me even more of his confidence than I had previously en

Mrs. Ridley's account, and it was a long one, was paid without a single question, or the deduction of a farthing; but the Colonel rather sicken-merit both from all who knew him? ed of Honeyman's expressions of rapturous gratitude, and received his professions of mingled contrition and delight very coolly. "My boy," says the father to Clive, "you see to what straits debt brings a mán, to tamper with truth, to have to cheat the poor. Think of flying before a wash-joyed, and was kind enough to say that he reerwoman, or humbling yourself to a tailor, or eating a poor man's children's bread!" Clive blushed, I thought, and looked rather confused. "O, father," says he, "I-I'm afraid I owe some money too-not much; but about forty pound, five-and-twenty for cigars, and fifteen Iened Clive, nor even succeeded in spoiling him. borrowed of Pendennis, and-and-I've been devilish annoyed about it all this time."

46

You stupid boy," says the father, "I knew about the cigars bill, and paid it last week Any thing I have is yours, you know. As long as there is a guinea there is half for you. See that every shilling we owe is paid before-before a week is over. And go down and ask Binnie if I can see him in his study. I want to have some conversation with him." When Clive was gone away, he said to me in a very sweet voice, "In God's name, keep my boy out of debt when I am gone, Arthur. I shall return to India very soon." "Very soon, Sir! You have another year's leave," said I.

garded me almost as a son of his own, and hoped I would act as elder brother and guardian to Clive. Ah! who is to guard the guardian? The younger brother had many nobler qualities than belonged to the elder. The world had not hard

I perceive I am diverging from his history into that of another person, and will return to the subject proper of the book.

Colonel Newcome expressed himself as being particularly touched and pleased with his friend Binnie's conduct, now that the Colonel's departure was determined. James is one of the most generous of men, Pendennis, and I am proud to be put under an obligation to him, and to tell it too. I hired this house, as you are aware, of our speculative friend Mr. Sherrick, and am answerable for the payment of the rent till the expiry of the lease. James has taken the matter off my hands entirely. The place is greatly too large for him, but he says that he likes it, and intends to Yes, but no allowances, you know; and this stay, and that his sister and niece shall be his affair of Honeyman's has pretty nearly emptied housekeepers. Clive-(here, perhaps, the speakthe little purse I had set aside for European ex-er's voice drops a little)-Clive will be the son of penses. They have been very much heavier than the house still, honest James says, and God bless I expected. As it is, I overdrew my account at him. James is richer than I thought by near a my brother's, and have been obliged to draw | lakh of rupees-and here's a hint for you, Master

*

Arthur. Mr. Binnie has declared to me in con- | still. And my prayer is, that my Clive may cast

questioned the morality of operas, Towers of London, and wax-works, and, before a year was out, married Elder Bogie, of Mr. M'Craw's church.

Presently was to be read in the "Morning Post" an advertisement of the sale of three horses (the description and pedigree following), "the property of an officer returning to India. Apply to the groom, at the stables, 150 Fitzroy Square."

The Court of Directors invited LieutenantColonel Newcome to an entertainment given to Major-General Sir Ralph Spurrier, K.C.B., appointed Commander-in-Chief at Madras. Clive was asked to this dinner too, “and the governor's health was drunk, Sir," Clive said, "after dinner, and the dear old fellow made such a good speech, in returning thanks!"

He, Clive and I made a pilgrimage to Grey Friars, and had the Green to ourselves, it being the Bartlemytide vacation, and the boys all away. One of the good old Poor Brothers, whom we both recollected, accompanied us round the place; and we sate for a while in Captain Scarsdale's little room (he had been a peninsular officer, who had sold out, and was fain in his old age to retire into this calm retreat). And we talked, as old schoolmates and lovers talk, about subjects interesting to schoolmates and lovers only.

young lady, whom he loved as his own daughter; and I thought Rosey looked vexed at the praises thus bestowed. This was the day before we all went down to Brighton. Miss Honeyman's lodgings were taken for Mr. Binnie and his ladies. Clive and her dearest Colonel had apartments next door. Charles Honeyman came down and preached one of his very best sermons. Fred Bayham was there, and looked particularly grand and noble on the pier and the cliff. I am inclined to think he had had some explanation with Thomas Newcome, which had placed F. B. in a state of at least temporary prosperity. Whom did he not benefit whom he knew, and what eye that saw him did not bless him? F. B. was greatly affected at Charles's sermon, of which our party of course could see the allusions. Tears actually rolled down his brown cheeks; for Fred was a man very easily moved, and as it were a softened sinner. Little Rosey and her mother sobbed audibly, greatly to the surprise of stout old Miss Honeyman, who had no idea of such watery exhibitions, and to the discomfiture of poor Newcome, who was annoyed to have his praises even hinted in that sacred edifice. Good Mr. James Binnie came for once to church; and, however variously their feelings might be exhibited or repressed, I think there was not one of the little circle there assembled who did not bring to the place a humble prayer and a gentle heart. It was the last Sabbath-bell our dear friend was to hear for many a day on his native shore. The great sea washed the beach as we came out, blue with the reflection of the skies, and its innumerable waves crested with sunshine. I see the good man and his boy yet clinging to him as they pace together by the shore.

The Colonel was very much pleased by a visit from Mr. Ridley, and the communication which he made (my Lord Todmorden has a mansion and park in Sussex, whence Mr. Ridley came to pay his duty to Colonel Newcome). He said he

66

One by one the Colonel took leave of his friends, young and old; ran down to Newcome, and gave Mrs. Mason a parting benediction; slept a night at Tom Smith's, and passed a day with Jack Brown; went to all the boys' and girls' schools where his little protégés were, so as to be able to take the very last and most authentic account of the young folks to their parents in India. Spent a week at Marble Hill, and shot partridges there, but for which entertainment, Clive said, the place would have been intolerable; and thence proceeded to Brighton, to pass a little time with good Miss Honeyman. As for Sir Brian's family, when parliament broke up of course they did not stay in town. Barnes, of course, had part of a moor never could forget the kindness with which the in Scotland, whither his uncle and cousin did not Colonel had treated him. His lordship have taken follow him. The rest went abroad. Sir Brian a young man, which Mr. Ridley had brought him wanted the waters of Aix-la-Chapelle; the broth-up under his own eye, and can answer for him, ers parted very good friends; Lady Ann, and all the young people, heartily wished him farewell. I believe Sir Brian even accompanied the Colonel down stairs from the drawing-room, in Park Lane, and actually came out and saw his brother into his cab (just as he would accompany old Lady Bagges when she came to look at her account at the bank, from the parlor to her carriage). But as for Ethel, she was not going to be put off with this sort of parting: and the next morning a cab dashed up to Fitzroy Square, and a vailed lady came out thence, and was closeted with Colonel Newcome for five minutes, and when he led her back to the carriage there were tears in his eyes.

Mr. R. says, with impunity; and which he is to be his lordship's own man for the future. And his lordship have appointed me his steward, and having, as he always hev been, been most liberal in point of sellary. And me and Mrs. Ridley was thinking, Sir, most respectfully, with regard to our son, Mr. John James Ridley-as good and honest a young man, which I am proud to say it, that if Mr. Clive goes abroad we shall be most proud and happy if John James went with him. And the money which you have paid us so handsome, Colonel, he shall have it; which it was the excellent ideer of Miss Cann; and my lord have ordered a pictur of John James in the most libral manner, and have asked my son to dinner, Sir, at his lordship's own table, which I have faithfully served him five-and-thirty years." Ridley's voice fairly broke down at this part of his speech, which evidently was a studied composition, and he uttered no more of it, for the Colonel cordially shook